Homme Grown Clothing designer Linda Mai is at it again- 

Currently she’s celebrating the launch of her Spring 2008 collection, inspired by artist Mondrian (you know, the guy that uses lots of bold colors and geometric shapes) and our favorite tomboy model – Twiggy. The result? Futuristic, fashion-forward dresses and other items that not only look amazing, they feel amazing.

“My goal is to provide organically grown cotton apparel that's affordable, unique, and wearable,” she says. Why organic? Several reasons. “I’ve always had a strong connection with nature. I’ve also always been very sensitive to synthetic fibers and chemicals we come in contact with in our daily life, so that was what first got me interested in more natural alternatives. Then I started to read about the environment and the impact of our modern living and manufacturing methods on the fragile ecosystem.”

How does she keep her organic line affordable? Her dresses range between sixty-five and seventy dollars. “I cut out the middleman,” she says after witnessing the ‘ugliness that overseas manufacturing conjures’. Everything except the picking of her U.S. certified cotton is done at her studio in her southern California home. She even hand-dyes all the fabrics and grades the sizes herself. “It’s tedious, but I love it,” she winks. “My husband is my 'Quality Control' guy, and inspects every garment before they get sent out.”

Created in 2007, Homme Grown Clothing is a young company, but already turning heads. “I hope to be in more upscale boutiques like Fred Segal on Melrose,” Linda says. And it looks like that dream is likely to become a reality. With fashion-minded clients in Los Angeles demanding her designs, boutiques are sure to take notice. “Her dresses are so versatile, it’s insane,” says Los Angeles based Vantem front-singer Jaren. “I’ve never worn a piece so chameleon- like. I can add a jacket and suddenly I’ve gone from fun me to business me [laughs]. And it’s as comfortable as my pajamas, I’ll tell you that much!”

Comfort, affordability and organic expression are what sums up Linda’s Spring 2008 collection. And her next collection? She’ll probably be inspired by another artist or maybe even a piece of literature. One thing is for sure- it will no doubt revolve around the same three standards. 

First of all, I wonder how stupid we look to aliens, putting gel in our chests and behinds, and having fat sucked from our waists.  I'd be laughing...hahaha.

When I was 18 I gained 30 pounds in six weeks.  I still have the stretch marks to prove it and sometimes I feel compelled to show them to people who don't believe I was ever overweight.  You can call it the "freshman 30" if you want, though I never went on to college.  I was like nearly all 18 year olds fresh outta high school: miserable, confused, and really struggling to figure out who I was supposed to be.  But aren't we all at that age?  Damn. 

Only when I switched my focus from being miserable that I wasn't a steamy, sticky twenty-something to just simply being did the weight start to come off.  Now, nearly 40 pounds lighter, I'm faced with a different problem.  I don't have an eating disorder (I love food and I hate barfing, believe me!).  It's just that I thought that since I'm as thin as I wanted to be, that I'd feel more confident in my body image.  Not the case!  

What I found is that when you remove yourself from the picture and really take a look at who, in history or in your life, you view to be a woman of physical beauty, you find that those TRUE, TIMELESS beauties are often veloptuous, confident, and I'll tell ya, certainly not free of personality!  Beauty should be guaged by three things:  Mind, body and soul.  Not just body.  Certainly not just a body made of bones trying to support giant halves of grapefruit for tits.  Just sayin'.  

But, it's hard to keep that focus in a city like Los Angeles.  I still struggle.  I just remind myself the way Ladyshark does....Marilyn...Marilyn...Marilyn.